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The Birthday Present

Yesterday was a bad day. Mum was late. This was my fault. I got up early but I needed to sort out my cars. I have fifty four cars, I can tell you how many of each colour and the make but then this story would be too long. Mum asked me too many questions about things to take to school so I put my hands over my ears and didn’t look at her. She started to shout so I counted the cars again. She shouted louder. Then she tried to hug me and I wriggled away. I started screaming and then Mum made a sad face again. We did a High Five when she said goodbye to me at the school gate. Mum loves me.

At school I have a special teacher called Jenny who never shouts and never tries to hug me. I like Jenny. Mum sometimes forgets that I don’t like anyone touching me. She gave me a book to write in. It has a picture of a Collie on the cover. I write down something every day, especially when I feel upset.

I was upset last Tuesday at school. One of the other boys called me stupid and lots of other names. He was lying. I turned away but he wouldn’t stop, and pulled on my arm. I hit him. Jenny came with me to see the head teacher. She explained very carefully why it was wrong in very simple words. I like words in books but sometimes I don’t understand the meaning when people talk to me. I must never hit anyone again even if they were lying or touching me. Except strangers who might try to hurt me. I don’t like strangers so I don’t talk to them.

When Mum and I went to town yesterday after school we saw three Spaniels, two Labradors and a mongrel. I like dogs better than people sometimes. They are not so complicated. They don’t ask lots of questions that I can’t answer. Too many questions at once and I don’t always understand what they mean so I try to ignore them. Jenny says I should ask people to slow down and give me more time. I am now remembering to do this sometimes, but not this morning with Mum.

We had fish and chips for supper. My sister got ready to out with her friends. She had a big spot on her chin. She asked Mum if it showed. Mum said no, which was a lie. I didn’t say anything and just counted my chips again. My sister doesn’t ask me things like this anymore because she knows I always tell the truth.

It’s my birthday soon. I’m eleven years, eleven months and six days old today. I don’t always like birthdays. Mum and Dad ask me what I want but then they don’t always buy it for me. Like last year I wanted a dog. I really want a dog. They bought me another dinosaur book. I like dinosaurs, I now have five books and three DVDs but I really wanted a dog. Dad said I’m a dinosaur expert. I do know more than anyone else in the family or at school so he’s right.

I haven’t written in my book, which Jenny says is fine. I’ve been busy. My birthday made me very happy. Mum bought me a dog. His name is Freddy and he’s a golden coloured Cocker Spaniel. I also got a bed for him, a collar and lead and some toys. I’ll write all these down later when I have time. He’s just perfect. I can talk to him and he listens very carefully, but doesn’t say anything. He sleeps in my bedroom on his own bed. It’s very close to mine so I can just reach out and touch him before I go to sleep. Freddy’s coat is so soft and shiny I stroke him a lot. He makes me very happy.

I haven’t written anything here for eleven months and three days. I don’t get so upset now. I just cuddle Freddy. I take him for walks every day and he’s always happy. He’s sort of smiles and wags his tail all the time. Especially when I get back from school. He stays as close to me as possible. I like that.

Mum saw me cuddling him this morning and she cried. This confused me because she had a sort of happy face too. She stroked Freddy and touched my arm but I didn’t mind.

Author’s note – this story was very much inspired by “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon which I read some years ago.